Universal recessed while-in-use electrical box assembly

ABSTRACT

A electrical box assembly is provided that includes an electrical outlet box and an adapter plate configured to accommodate electrical components in a single or double gang formation. An engaging mechanism permits the adapter plate to snap into the electrical outlet box without the use of screws or other fasteners. Thus, the adapter plate can be removed and rotated to change the orientation of the adapter plate and any electrical components attached thereto from a vertical to a horizontal orientation, and vice versa.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/771,787 filed Feb. 9, 2006, the contents all of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electrical box assembly and, moreparticularly, to a recessed box and cover that can accommodate either ahorizontally or a vertically aligned receptacle therein without havingto reorient the box or cover. And further, a box that can accept eithera single receptacle or a plurality of receptacles therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical boxes provide a housing for electrical components such asoutlets and switches when installed in the walls, ceilings or floors ofbuildings. Electrical boxes are typically secured to a support structuresuch as a wall stud and aligned with an opening in a covering material,such as wall board or siding. Boxes may be employed to house electricalcomponents both in and out of doors.

Outdoor applications typically utilize electrical boxes which can resistcontamination, such as water and dirt, created by exposure to theelements. Indoor applications such as in a bathroom or industrialsetting may also subject an installed electrical component tocontamination from cleaning fluid or other debris. Typical outlet boxesinclude a housing which holds the electrical component and a brackethaving a flange which abuts the front face of the wall. In order tosatisfy the requirements of such applications, electrical boxes alsotypically include a cover to shield the electrical components fromcontamination. Electrical box covers of the prior art may includeopenings therein to permit cords to extend there through, therebyallowing an electrical outlet to be used even when the cover is closed.

One such while-in-use electrical box is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,988,832. This electrical box includes a recess configuration such thatthe electrical component is recessed from the front surface of the wallin which it is installed. The electrical box includes a housingattachable to a wall stud and a bracket securable thereto. The brackethas a flange which abuts against a wall surface and a base which alignswith the front face of an electrical component. Although the recessconfiguration provides protection to the electrical component, theconfiguration does not accommodate more than one outlet. Moreimportantly, the configuration disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,832 doesnot accommodate either a horizontally or a vertically aligned receptacletherein without having to reorient the box or cover.

Other outlet covers are designed to protect an electrical device, but donot include an electrical box. Instead, the box which houses theelectrical outlet is already attached to a stud, for example, and thecover is designed to be applied around the outlet. One such device isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,135. This electrical box includes abase plate, an insert to the base plate and a cover that hingedlyattaches to the base plate. The base plate has an aperture of sufficientsize to accommodate an electrical outlet in different orientations. Theinsert fits within the aperture of the base plate and is capable ofencompassing the face of an electrical device. However, as stated above,this device is not a unitary device that includes an electrical box and,therefore, requires a user to separately purchase and attach theelectrical box.

Accordingly, a need exists for a unitary recessed box and cover that,once installed, can accommodate either a horizontally or a verticallyaligned receptacle therein in a single or double gang formation withouthaving to reorient the box or cover.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention provides an electrical box assembly. Theelectrical box assembly includes an electrical outlet box having a rearwall perimetrically bounded by a sidewall extending therefrom. Theelectrical outlet box is adapted to receive one electrical component orthe box can receive more than one electrical component. The electricalbox assembly also includes an adapter plate. The adapter plate includesa securement mechanism for securing the electrical components to theadapter plate. The adapter plate further includes an aperture that isconfigured to accommodate the one or more than one electrical component.The assembly also includes an engaging mechanism having a fixedstructure on the adapter plate which correspondingly interconnects witha fixed structure on the sidewall of the electrical box. The engagingmechanism removably couples the adapter plate to the electrical outletbox in either the horizontal or vertical position.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the fixed structure on theadapter plate includes a plurality of extensions extending from theadapter plate. In addition, the fixed structure on the sidewall of theelectrical box includes a plurality of slots configured to receive theextensions. Because the adapter is made of a resilient material, theadapter plate can deflect, permitting the extensions to snap into theslots, as opposed to using a mechanical fastener, such as a screw, toattach the adapter plate.

In a preferred embodiment, the engaging mechanism includes a pluralityof adapter plate support members projecting inward from the sidewall orup from the back wall. A plurality of adapter plate mounting extensionsextending from the adapter plate engage a slot in the top of the adapterplate support members, thereby removably attaching the adapter plate tothe electrical outlet box.

The adapter plate has a first position corresponding to a firstorientation and a second position corresponding to a second orientation.The adapter plate is removably coupled to said electrical box in one ofsaid first or second positions.

In this way, the user can “pop-out” the adapter plate and re-orientadapter plate by rotating adapter plate a fixed number of degrees (i.e.90 degrees for a square box, other degrees for other shaped boxes) andreinserting the adapter plate mounting extensions into the adapter platemounting slots. Thus, for at least square boxes, the orientation of theadapter plate can be changed from horizontal to vertical, and viceversa, without having to remove the electrical outlet box from thestructure to which it is attached.

In a preferred embodiment, the electrical box assembly further includesa mounting ring adapted to be attached to a structural surface and toreceive said electrical outlet box. In another preferred embodiment, theelectrical box assembly includes a cover pivotally attached to theelectrical outlet box. The cover is movable between an open and closedposition. In another preferred embodiment, the electrical box assemblyfurther includes a latching mechanism configured to releasably keep thecover in said closed position. In another preferred embodiment, theelectrical box assembly includes a member for receiving and retaining anelectrical cord.

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide an electrical boxassembly having an adapter plate that can be removably inserted into theelectrical outlet box without the use of screws or other mechanicalfasteners. This permits the user to save time in installation and savescost for the manufacturer.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to permit the user toeasily reorient the adapter plate from a horizontal to a verticalposition (or a first to a second position), and vice versa, withouthaving to remove the electrical box from the structure to which it isattached.

Another advantage is the ability to install a single receptacle thereinor a multitude of receptacles without having to change the box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electrical box assembly of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrical box assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the electrical box assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a double gang configurationinstalled in the electrical box.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an electrical box assemblyhaving a single gang configuration.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view showing the single gang configurationof FIG. 5 installed in the electrical box and the cover in an openposition.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective of the electrical box assembly of theinvention with a mounting ring.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the electrical box assembly of FIG.7 inserted in a mounting ring surrounding the electrical box assembly.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the electrical box assembly ofFIG. 9.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view showing the vertical configuration of theelectrical box assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the horizontal configuration ofthe electrical box assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a single gang outlet configurationof the electrical box assembly of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the single gang outletconfiguration of the electrical box assembly of FIG. 12 with a faceplate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a recessed box and cover that, onceinstalled, can accommodate either a horizontally or a vertically alignedreceptacle therein without having to reorient the outlet box or cover.It can also accommodate either a single receptacle therein or aplurality of receptacles therein.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention includes anelectrical box assembly 10 having an electrical outlet box 12. In thepreferred embodiment, electrical box assembly 10 may be formed of aplastic material, such as polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride,polyethylene, or polypropylene. However, it is within the contemplationof the present invention that electrical box assembly 10 may be formedof a variety of materials. In addition, portions of electrical boxassembly 10 may be formed of plastic, while other portions may be formedof a different material, such as metal.

Electrical outlet box 12 is adapted to receive a variety of electricalcomponents, such as a duplex outlet 50, ground fault circuit interrupt(GFCI) 52, switch (not shown), voice/data connector (not shown), etc.Electrical outlet box 12 includes a rear wall 64 perimetrically boundedby side walls 62. Side walls 62 and rear wall 64 form a cavity withinwhich the electrical component resides. Side walls 62 continue forwardending in a face flange 18 that extends outward perpendicularly from theforward end of side walls 62. Referring to FIG. 3, side walls 62 and/orrear wall 64 may include knock-outs 25 formed thereon to permit thepassage of electrical wires into electrical box 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2-3, side walls 62 of electrical outlet box 12 caninclude a step-out 66 where side walls 62 extend outwardly. Side walls62 then continue to extend forward to face flange 18. The portion ofside walls 62 from step-out 66 to the face flange 18 of the electricalbox 12 forms a housing 14. Referring to FIG. 4, housing 14 provides acavity sufficient to house a plug 57 of an electrical cord when the plug57 is plugged into an electrical outlet 52 attached to electrical outletbox 12. Preferably, electrical outlet box 12 and housing 14 aremanufactured as one piece.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, electrical box assembly 10 also includes a cover16 pivotally attached to electrical outlet box 12, movable between aclosed position and an open position. Cover 16, when in a closedposition, helps protect the electrical component residing in electricaloutlet box 12 from the elements, such as dirt, water, moisture, sun,etc. In a preferred embodiment, cover 16 is pivotally attached to faceflange 18. Cover 16 may be attached to face flange 18 via a hinge 22.Preferably, the hinge is located at the top side of cover 16 and faceflange 18, thereby causing gravity to pull the cover closed. However,the hinges connecting cover 16 and face flange 18 may be located on anyside of the face flange 18. In a preferred embodiment, cover 16 includesarms 24. An integral pin 23, shown in FIG. 1, is attached between arms24. The pins act in cooperation with hinges 22 located at the top offace flange 18 to pivotally connect cover 16 to the electrical boxassembly 10.

Referring to FIG. 2, electrical box assembly 10 also includes anupwardly extending ridge 26 that surrounds the inside perimeter of faceflange 18. Ridge 26 defines an opening 13 into electrical outlet box 12.Electrical box assembly 10 also includes an upwardly extending rim 27that resides slightly above ridge 26 on the top side of flange 18 and aportion of the upper sides of flange 18. When cover 16 is in a closedposition, the top inner edge 28 of cover 16 fits within the spacebetween ridge 26 and rim 27. This configuration directs rain water ormoisture around and away from the electrical device within theelectrical box assembly.

Referring to FIG. 1, the electrical box assembly 10 also includes alatching mechanism 20. Referring to FIG. 2, latching mechanism 20includes a first mating member 120 and a second mating member 140. Asshown in FIG. 2, first mating member 120 extends perpendicularly outwardfrom the bottom edge of face flange 18. First mating member 120 includesan L-shape resilient member 124 that extends perpendicularly outwardfrom the bottom edge of face flange 18, and then downward. The downwardportion of resilient member 124 includes a first latching aperture 123.Resilient member 124 also includes a latching tang 122. Latching tang122 extends outward from resilient member 124 in a direction generallyperpendicular from face flange 18. Latching tang 122 is generallytriangular in shape, with the broader base side of the triangle beingcloser to face flange 18, and the narrower angle further away from faceflange 18.

First mating member 120 also includes cord holder extensions 126 and 128that reside on either side of resilient member 124. The space 125between cord holder extensions 126 and 128 and resilient member 124 issufficient for an electrical cord 127 attached to outlet 50 or 52 toextend therebetween. Cord holder extensions 126 and 128 hold the cordbetween resilient member 124 cord holder extensions 126 and 128 when thecord 127 is placed in position.

Referring further to FIG. 2, second mating member 140 is generallyU-shaped and extends generally outward from the bottom edge of cover 16.Second mating member also includes side walls 144 and 146 that span thedepth of the bottom edge of cover 16. Second mating member 140 alsoincludes second latching aperture 142.

In operation, referring to FIG. 2, when cover 16 is closed, latchingtang 122 engages with the top edge 141 of second latching aperture 142of second mating member 140 such that cover 16 remains secured in aclosed position. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, when cover 16 isin a fully closed position, latching tang 122 goes through secondlatching aperture 142 until the broader base side of the triangle oflatching tang 122 engages the outer side of second mating member 140.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, when cover 16 is in a closed position, thecavity formed by housing 14 and the inside of cover 16 is sufficient tohouse a plug 57 of an electrical cord 127 when the plug is plugged intoan electrical outlet attached to electrical outlet box 12. Side walls144 and 146 of second mating member 140 permit the electrical cord 127to pass through the space 125 between cord holder extensions 126 and 128and resilient member 124 when cover 16 is in a closed position. Cordholder extensions 126 and 128 align with side walls 144 and 146,respectively, of side walls 144 and 146 of second mating member 140.Thus, cover 16 is able to be placed in a closed position while theoutlet is in use.

In addition, when cover 16 is closed, first latching aperture 123 andsecond latching aperture 142 align such that a locking device can bepassed through both, thereby locking cover 16 in a closed position.Although a preferred latching mechanism is described herein, it iswithin the contemplation of the invention that any number of latchingmechanisms could be employed to maintain cover 16 in a closed position.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the electrical box assembly 10 alsoincludes an adapter plate 40. Adapter plate 40, although shown asrectangular in shape, can be any shape configured to fit within oraround the cavity formed by the side walls 62 of outlet box 12 (whichcan also be shaped other than rectangular). Adapter plate 40 includes anelectrical device aperture 51 that is sized to accommodate aconventional electrical device, such as duplex outlet 50 or GFCI outlet52 or the like. As shown in FIG. 2, electrical device aperture 51 inadapter plate 40 can be large enough to accommodate a double gangconfiguration if so desired, i.e., two electrical components, such asoutlets or switches.

Adapter plate 40 includes adapter plate screw apertures 46. In apreferred embodiment, a set of three adapter plate screw apertures 46are located on each of two opposite sides of adapter plate 40 to mountan electrical device. The set of three adapter plate screw apertures 46located on each of two opposite sides of adapter plate 40 permitsadapter plate 40 to accommodate either a double gang formation (outerapertures) or a single gang formation (middle aperture).

As shown in FIG. 2, the electrical component 50, 52 includes tabs 56having screw apertures 58. To attach the electrical component to adapterplate 40, screws (not shown) are threaded at the top and bottom of theelectrical component through both the electrical component screwaperture 58 and the adapter plate screw aperture 46.

Adapter plate 40 is configured to detachably connect to electrical boxassembly 10. As shown in FIG. 2, adapter plate 40 in this embodimentincludes adapter plate mounting extensions 44 but other concave orconvex configurations for an inter-mating structure are equally likely.Preferably, adapter plate mounting extensions 44 are integral withadapter plate 40. Adapter plate mounting extensions 44 as shown are usedto detachably connect adapter plate 40 to electrical outlet box 12,without the use of screws. Adapter plate mounting extensions 44 arepreferably located in the center of each side of adapter plate 40 andextend out from adapter plate 40 generally in the same plane as adapterplate 40. Adapter plate mounting extensions 44 need only extend out fromadapter plate 40 enough to engage adapter plate mounting slots 48, forexample, 1-5 mm. The length of each adapter plate mounting extension 44along the side of adapter plate 40 is slightly less than adapter platemounting slots 48.

As shown in FIGS. 2-3, adapter plate mounting slots 48 are located at orslightly rearward (i.e., toward the rear wall 64 of outlet box 12) ofstep-out 66 in side walls 62. Adapter plate mounting slots 48 need onlybe slightly larger/longer than mounting extensions 44 so as to permitadapter plate 40 to be detachably connected to electrical box assembly10. Adapter plate 40 and/or adapter plate mounting extensions 44 arepreferably made of a resilient material, thereby permitting the adapterplate 40 and/or adapter plate mounting extensions 44 to deflect. Thisdeflection permits adapter plate 40 to be snapped into electrical outletbox 12 without the use of mechanical fasteners, such as screws, rivets,etc so that a moderate amount of force is necessary to disengage adapterplate 40 from electrical outlet box 12. In addition, step-out 66 in sidewalls 62 forms a rear platform within the perimeter of the inside ofside walls 62 which supports adapter plate 40. Of course, otherconfigurations of extensions 44 and slots 48 will equally suffice, suchas a female mating component being on adapter plate 40 with a malemating component being secured to box 12. Also, the mating component onbox 12 can extend from its sidewalls or its backwall, whatever isdesired.

As shown in FIG. 2, electrical box assembly may also include a faceplate 80. Face plate 80 is sized to fit within the cavity formed by sidewalls 62. Face plate 80 is designed to cover the electrical componentfrom view while leaving the face of the electrical component accessiblethrough face plate aperture 82. Face plate aperture 82 can be of variousconfigurations to fit different electrical components. For example, faceplate aperture 82 as shown in FIG. 2 is fitted to accommodate a GFCI. Ifa face plate with an aperture sized for a GFCI is used to cover a duplexoutlet, a duplex outlet cover 54 can be interposed between the duplexoutlet 50 and face plate 80. This would be especially useful when a GFCI52 and duplex outlet 50 are coupled in a double gang formation as shownin FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Face plate 80 is attached to adapter plate 40 bypassing a screw through face plate screw apertures 84 and threading thescrew (not shown) through face plate mounting apertures 47 in adapterplate 40.

In operation, electrical box assembly 10 can be attached, for example,to a wall or stud. Referring to FIG. 2, electrical box assembly can beattached to a wall by passing the shaft of a nail or screw through faceflange wall aperture 19. Wires to be attached to an electrical devicecan be pulled through one or more knock-outs 25 in electrical outlet box12. An electrical device, such as duplex outlet 56 or GFCI 52, isattached to adapter plate 40 by threading the screws through electricaldevice screw aperture 58 and through adapter plate screw aperture 46. Asstated above, adapter plate screw apertures 46 are placed such thatadapter plate 40 and adapter plate aperture 51 can accommodate either adouble or single gang formation of electrical devices. After or beforethe electrical component is mounted to adapter plate 40, adapter platemounting extensions 44 are inserted into adapter plate mounting slots48, thereby detachably connecting adapter plate 40 with the electricalcomponents to the electrical box assembly 10. Face plate 80 can then beattached to adapter plate 40 by passing a screw through face plate screwapertures 84 and threading the screw through face plate mountingapertures 47 in adapter plate 40.

An installed double gang configuration according to the invention isshown in FIG. 4. The installation of a single gang configurationaccording to the invention is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. With the singlegang formation, a face plate 86 designed to accommodate a singlereceptacle is used.

With the electrical box assembly 10 of the invention, the electricalcomponents are attached to adapter plate 40, as opposed to beingattached to outlet box 12 or housing 14. In addition, the adapter plate40 is detachably connected to the interior of the electrical boxassembly 10 by snapping the adapter plate to the inside of walls 62without the use of screws or other fasteners. These features permit theuser to change the orientation of the electrical components fromvertical (FIG. 4) to horizontal (FIG. 6) without removing the electricalbox assembly 10 from the wall. The user can simply “pop-out” the adapterplate and re-orient adapter plate 40 by rotating adapter plate 90degrees and reinserting adapter plate mounting extensions 44 intoadapter plate mounting slots 48, thereby changing the orientation of theelectrical components attached or to be attached from horizontal tovertical, or vice versa. This reorientation can occur without having toremove electrical outlet box 12 from the wall. Adapter plate 40 can beremoved, for example, by prying out using a flat head screw driver. Theability to re-orient the adapter plate in this manner exists whether theelectrical components are attached to adapter plate 40 in a single gangor double gang formation.

In another embodiment of the invention, electrical box assembly 10includes a mounting ring 200. As shown in FIG. 7, mounting ring 200 isgenerally square in shape and includes side walls 210. Mounting ring 200can be some other shape as well, its purpose being to accommodate boxassembly 10. Mounting ring 200 is also shown as including a mountingring aperture 220 formed by side walls 210. Mounting ring 200 includes aflange 225 that extends generally perpendicularly outward from sidewalls 210. Flange 225 includes mounting ring wall apertures 230 forattaching mounting ring 200 to a wall or other support structure (notshown). Electrical box assembly 10 is inserted into mounting ringaperture 220. Mounting ring aperture 220 is configured so that housing14 fits snugly within mounting ring aperture 220. The height of mountingring side walls 210 is equal to or less than the height of housing 14.

In operation, mounting ring 200 is mounted to a wall or other supportstructure (not shown). As shown in FIG. 7, mounting ring 200 can bemounted to a wall by passing the shaft of a nail or screw throughmounting ring wall apertures 230 into the wall. Either before or aftermounting ring 200 is mounted to a wall, electrical box assembly 10 isdetachably secured to mounting ring 200. As shown in FIG. 7, the shaftof a screw 240 is passed through face flange mounting ring aperture 250and threaded into mounting ring assembly aperture 260.

FIG. 8 shows electrical box assembly 10 detachably secured to mountingring 200. The rear side of mounting ring flange 225 may be pressed flushagainst the supporting structure, such as a wall. Electrical outlet box12 has passed through mounting ring aperture 220 such that housing 14snugly fits within mounting ring side walls 210. The shaft of a screw240 has passed through face flange mounting ring aperture 250 andthreaded into mounting ring assembly aperture 260. The space betweenmounting ring flange 225 and face flange 18 can accommodate othermaterials, such as siding, wallboard, etc. to be place on top of thesupporting structure. This additional material will be sandwichedbetween the front side of mounting ring flange 225 and rear side of faceflange 18 when screws 240 are fully tightened.

Alternatively, if no space is desired between the front side of mountingring flange 225 and rear side of face flange 18, mounting ring 200 canbe inverted and placed such that mounting ring side walls 210 fit withina cut-out of the supporting structure, such as a wall. Thisconfiguration permits the electrical box assembly 10 to sit essentiallyflush against the supporting structure.

The electrical box assembly 10 of the present invention may be installedin both new work and old work applications. In old work applications,for example, wall studs would be covered with a facing surface, such aswall board or plaster for interior walls or plywood and siding forexterior applications. In order to install electrical box assembly 10 inan old work application, the back of face flange 18 or mounting ringflange 225 is positioned to abut the facing surface. A nail or screwwould be passed through either mounting ring wall apertures 230 or faceflange wall aperture 19 into the facing surface as described above. In anew work application where a support structure such as a wall stud wouldbe exposed, outlet box 12 may include a securement device as known inthe art for securing the electrical box assembly 10 to the supportstructure.

Referring to the electrical box assembly FIGS. 9-13, in anotherembodiment of the invention, electrical box assembly 300 includeselectrical outlet box 312 having side walls 362 that do not include astep-out as described above. Rather sidewalls 362 of electrical box 312extend from the rear wall 364 of electrical box 312 to the face flange318 in generally a straight manner to form a substantially flat surface.Ridge 326 on face flange 318 defines an opening 313 into electrical box312.

Electrical box assembly 300 also includes adapter plate 340. Adapterplate 340 includes an electrical device aperture 351 that is sized toaccommodate one or more than one conventional electrical devices, suchas duplex outlet or GFCI. As shown in FIGS. 9-13, electrical deviceaperture 351 in adapter plate 340 can be large enough to accommodate adouble gang configuration, i.e., two electrical components, such asoutlets or switches, in addition to a single gang configuration. Adapterplate 340 also includes adapter plate screw apertures 346. As discussedabove, adapter plate screw apertures 346 permit an electrical device tobe removably attached to adapter plate 340. As shown in FIG. 9, a set ofthree adapter plate screw apertures 346 on opposite sides of adapterplate 340 permits adapter plate 340 to accommodate either a single(middle apertures) or double (outer apertures) gang formation.

Adapter plate 340 is configured to fit within the opening 313 formed bythe side walls 362 of outlet box 312. Adapter plate 340 is alsoconfigured to detachably connect to electrical box assembly 310. Asshown in FIGS. 9-10, adapter plate 340 includes adapter plate mountingextensions 344. Adapter plate mounting extensions 344 are used todetachably connect adapter plate 340 to electrical outlet box 312.Adapter plate mounting extensions 344 are preferably located in thecenter of each side of the adapter plate and extend generally rearwardfrom adapter plate 340 toward rear wall 364 of electrical outlet box312. Other inter-mating configurations are also possible.

Electrical outlet box 312 also includes adapter plate support members329. Adapter plate support members 329 can project inward from sidewalls 362 or upward from rear wall 364. Adapter plate support members329 extend along side walls 362 from rear wall 364 forward towardopening 313. As shown in FIG. 9, the most forward portion of adapterplate support members 329 includes a slot 348. Slots 348 of adapterplate support member 329 are preferably located at the approximatelocation of where the outer edge of a conventional electrical box wouldbe located. As shown in FIGS. 9-10, this means slots 348 of adapterplate support member 329 are located approximately half way between rearwall 364 and opening 313 bounded by face flange 318. Again, otherinter-mating configurations are also possible.

In operation, before or after the electrical component is mounted toadapter plate 340, adapter plate mounting extensions 344 are insertedinto slots 348 of adapter plate support members 329. Adapter plate 340and/or adapter plate mounting extensions 344 are preferably made of aresilient material, thereby permitting the adapter plate 340 and/oradapter plate mounting extensions 344 to deflect. This deflectionpermits adapter plate 340 to be snapped into electrical outlet box 312without the use of a mechanical fasteners, such as screws, rivets, etc.Adapter plate mounting extensions 344 may be configured to engage orsnap into slots 348 of adapter plate support members 329, so that amoderate amount of force is necessary to disengage adapter plate 340from electrical outlet box 312. As stated above, with thisconfiguration, the user can simply “pop-out” adapter plate 340 andre-orient the electrical components by rotating adapter plate 340 90degrees (or some other set degree depending on the shape of box 312) andreinserting adapter plate mounting extensions 344 into slots 348 ofadapter plate mounting extensions 344. These features permit the user tochange the orientation of the electrical components from vertical (FIG.11A) to horizontal (FIG. 11B) without removing the electrical boxassembly 300 from the wall. This is true regardless of whether theelectrical components are attached to adapter plate 340 in a single gangor double gang formation depending on the particular adapter plate screwapertures 346 employed. FIG. 12 shows the mounting of an outlet toadapter plate 340 in a single gang formation.

Electrical box assembly 300 also preferably includes cover 316. Asstated above, cover 316 can be moved to a closed position and isdesigned to protect the electrical device from the elements. Also asstated above, cover 316 can be held in a closed position by a latchingmechanism.

When adapter plate 340 is attached to electrical outlet box 312 viaadapter plate support members 329 and adapter plate mounting extensions344, two separate cavities are defined. The first cavity defined byadapter plate 340, side walls 362 and rear wall 364 is of sufficientdepth to house a conventional electrical device, such as an outlet orswitch. The second cavity defined by the inside of cover 316, side walls362 and adapter plate 340 provides a recess sufficient to house a plugof an electrical cord when the plug is plugged into an electrical outletattached to electrical outlet box 312.

As shown in FIG. 13, electrical box assembly 300, may include a faceplate. As discussed above, face plate 380 is designed to cover theelectrical component from view while leaving the face of the electricalcomponent accessible through the face plate aperture.

Although not shown in FIGS. 9-13, mounting ring 200 (shown in FIGS. 7-8)described above may be used in connection with electrical box assembly300. Mounting ring 200 is configured such that when electrical boxassembly 300 is inserted in mounting ring 200, side walls 362 ofelectrical outlet box 312 fit snugly within the mounting ring aperture220.

Although the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited to those preciseembodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may beeffected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention.

1. An electrical box assembly comprising: an electrical outlet boxhaving a rear wall perimetrically bounded by sidewalls extendingtherefrom, said electrical outlet box adapted to receive at least oneelectrical component, an adapter plate comprising an adapter plate screwaperture for securing said at least one electrical component to saidadapter plate, and an aperture within said adapter plate configured toaccommodate said at least one electrical component, an engagingmechanism comprising a fixed structure on said adapter plate whichcorrespondingly interconnects with a fixed structure on said electricalbox to removably couple the adapter plate to the electrical box, whereinsaid engaging mechanism comprises: a plurality of adapter plate mountingslots projecting inward from said sidewalls, and a plurality of adapterplate mounting extensions extending from said adapter plate andconfigured to engage said adapter plate mounting slots, wherein saidengaging mechanism does not include a separate mechanical fastener. 2.An electrical box assembly according to claim 1, wherein said aperturewithin said adapter plate is configured to accommodate at least twoelectrical components.
 3. An electrical box assembly according to claim1, wherein said adapter plate has a first position corresponding to afirst orientation and a second position corresponding to a secondorientation, wherein said adapter plate is removably coupled to saidelectrical box in one of said first or second positions.
 4. Anelectrical box assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electricalbox assembly further comprises a cover pivotally attached to saidelectrical outlet box, said cover movable between an open and closedposition.
 5. An electrical box assembly according to claim 4, whereinsaid electrical box assembly further comprises a latching mechanismconfigured to reversibly keep said cover in said closed position.
 6. Anelectrical box assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a faceflange extending outward from said sidewall, and at least one memberextending from said face flange for receiving and retaining anelectrical cord.
 7. An electrical box assembly comprising: an electricaloutlet box having a rear wall perimetrically bounded by sidewallsextending therefrom, said electrical outlet box adapted to receive atleast one electrical component, an adapter plate comprising an adapterplate screw aperture for securing said at least one electrical componentto said adapter plate, and an aperture within said adapter plateconfigured to accommodate said at least one electrical component, anengaging mechanism comprising a fixed structure on said adapter platewhich correspondingly interconnects with a fixed structure on saidelectrical box to removably couple the adapter plate to the electricalbox, wherein said engaging mechanism comprises: a plurality of adapterplate mounting slots projecting inward from said sidewalls, and aplurality of adapter plate mounting extensions extending from saidadapter plate and configured to engage said adapter plate mountingslots, wherein said engaging mechanism does not include a separatemechanical fastener, wherein said electrical box assembly furthercomprises a mounting ring adapted to receive said electrical outlet box.8. An electrical box assembly according to claim 7 wherein said mountingring is configured to adjustably receive said electrical outlet boxtherein.
 9. An electrical box assembly according to claim 8 wherein saidmounting ring is adjustably secured to said electrical outlet box via atleast one screw fastener.